How to introduce a new cat

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— In Budget101_@yahoogroups.com, “Marti Jean” wrote:
<
outdoor cat, but he’s declawed…That just isn’t right!), and have
realized after a couple days that he may NEVER get along with or
other cat! How long does this process take??>>

The two cats will recognize, in time, that each has his/her own turf
to retreat to. Your message was somewhat confusing, however. Romeo
is your cat, and Monte is the newbie to the house? If that’s the
case, Romeo is feeling somewhat betrayed, which is understandable if
he’s never had to deal with sharing your affections before.

< growling, spitting match in the hall! Our dd won’t even pet Romeo
anymore because she’s scared of him now, and heaven forbid she shows
the other cat (Monte, short for Montegue-Juliet’s last name)
attention! They each have their own litter box and bowls, Monte has
a place to hide that Romeo won’t go in to…I know this is a bit off
topic, but HELP! DH didn’t want Monte in the first place (warming up
a bit because Monte “hugs” when he s picked up) and gives it “till
Thursday…>>

I hope your husband will give it more time than that. I’m reminded
of a terrifying experience we had in our home when my sons decided
they too wanted two cats. (As it happens, we have two different cats
now–a brother and sister, but not because these two I’m discussing
didn’t get along.) The first cat, because cats are territorial,
hissed and attacked the other one repeatedly, and I kept trying to
save the smaller one. One of my sons took the two cats and locked
them in a room together for a couple of hours. By the time he opened
the door again, neither had been touched by the other, and they had
become the best of friends. They were totally devoted to each other.
As drastic as this sounds, if you can stand the suspense, I have to
admit, I believe now that my son did the right thing and would
strongly encourage you to do so.

You might also, when you do this, take two bowls and, in each bowl,
pour the juice in from a couple cans of tuna fish. (You can make
tuna salad, of course. 😉 ) Give each cat a bowl s/he will
recognize is for him/her. I’d consider even putting each bowl in
that room with the cats so they both have the treat at the same time.

Best of luck, and please, let me know, even though it’s probably more
appropriately done offlist.

Warmly,
Michelle
Budget101 moderator and Ethnic Inexpensively columnist

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